Article written by: Baileigh Hannah
Meet Jason, a member of the amazing staff here at the Chez Veterans Center. He served for eight years in the Marine Corps and went on two combat deployments: one to Iraq and one to Afghanistan. Jason then retired as a Sergeant First Class after twelve years in the Illinois National Guard. Today, he’s traded combat boots for campus life, where he supports military-connected students on their path through higher education here at the University of Illinois.
Jason’s journey to this role wasn’t straightforward. Like many veterans, he had to figure out the college system piece by piece. “I try to serve the student I used to be when I left the military in 2008,” he says. “Back then, there wasn’t a place like the Chez Veterans Center. Transitioning from military life to college can be complicated, and I believe it’s incredibly valuable to have a supportive space where veterans feel seen and understood.”
Jason began his own educational path at Parkland College, continued on to Eastern Illinois University, and eventually completed his master’s degree at UIUC. Along the way, he and his wife Carly raised their two sons, Luka and Oz, balancing family life with school and service.
At the Chez Veterans Center, Jason plays a key role in nearly every aspect of the student veteran experience. He organizes semester kickoff events and veteran ally trainings, speaks at panels across campus, and manages a team of eight VA work-study students who help keep the Center running smoothly. But most of all, he’s there for students, day in and day out—offering guidance, answering questions, and solving problems that can often feel overwhelming.
“I spend most of my time working directly with students,” he says. “Whether it’s walking them through their VA benefits, helping them file paperwork, or just figuring out what comes next—it’s about meeting them where they are.”
Each semester brings powerful, emotional moments. Jason recalls one of his favorites: getting to tell a veteran parent that their child qualified for full tuition coverage, fees, and a monthly living stipend.
“It’s life-changing news,” he says. “And it’s a privilege to be a part of that moment.”
Jason’s own military background gives him a unique perspective on the challenges student veterans face. He understands the balancing act of school, work, and family—especially for students who are also Guard or Reserve members. For them, unexpected training or deployments can disrupt their entire semester.
“COVID-19 really showed us how outdated some student policies were,” he explains. “Since then, we’ve worked hard to advocate for changes that better serve this community.”
Beyond one-on-one support, Jason is passionate about tackling big-picture issues. From contributing to policy updates to refining benefit application processes, he’s always thinking about how systems can better serve the students he works with.
“If I could give one piece of advice to a veteran thinking about college after the service, it would be this,” he says. “Start telling your story. Think about what you want to do and what steps are needed to make that happen. Reach out to others, do your research, and don’t be afraid to ask questions.”
Jason’s message is simple but powerful: veterans don’t have to walk this path alone—and with the right support, their next mission can be their most meaningful yet.
